WhatsApp video calls not enabled in UAE

DUBAI The United Arab Emirates Authorities have categorically denied the rumors making round that the government has enabled Whatsapp video call feature in UAE, Khaleej Times reported.

While clarifying the air on the issue, the UAE’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) stated that there was no change in the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) policy in the country.

According to Khaleej Times, TRA said in the statement that any applications or services of this type must comply with the applicable regulatory framework in the country.

It was almost like a WhatsApp dream come true for UAE residents on Thursday morning when the blocked free call feature was enabled on the Instant messaging service.

But the triumph was short-lived as the feature was soon blocked again.

Before the official clarification that the voice and video calls are not enabled in the country, Social media was abuzz with the ‘Finally!! WhatsApp Calling is Unblocked” news. And mobile phones did not stop ringing as elated residents took the opportunity to freely connect with their friends and family back home.

“I could not believe it. I pressed the call button on WhastApp by mistake and the phone was ringing, and my brother was saying hello on the other side,” said Prithvi. R, an Indian expat.

“So convenient and economic for all expats in UAE. My monthly bills scare me always because of international calls I make. Honestly, this will help all of us who miss our loved ones,” wrote Diana Lama, a MakeOver expert, on her Facebook wall.